Net holder and table tennis net set comprising a net holder

ABSTRACT

A net holder ( 1 ) for a table tennis net set is provided. The net holder ( 1 ) includes a clamping device ( 4 ) having a movable clamping jaw ( 5 ) and a clamping lever mechanism ( 6 ) with which said movable clamping jaw ( 5 ) can be moved from a starting position into a clamping position, in order to fasten the net holder ( 1 ) to a table tennis table.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a net holder for a table tennis net set, comprising a base carrier on which a net post is arranged and/or configured, and a clamping apparatus which can be used to fasten the base carrier to a table tennis table.

BACKGROUND

Hitherto known net holders have screw clamps for fastening to a table tennis table. These net holders function well in principle, but they can come loosen and slip during a game of table tennis. Depending on how stably the net holders are configured and how strongly the screw clamps are tightened, the net holders may also experience deformation. It has also been observed that in particular weaker people, for example children, often have problems releasing a particularly firmly tightened net holder from a table tennis table. During the attempts to remove the net holder from the table tennis table, releasing movements often result in undesired damage to the table tennis table.

SUMMARY

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a net holder of the type mentioned in the introduction for a table tennis net set, said net holder avoiding the disadvantages of hitherto known net holders and being more convenient to use.

To achieve this object, what is proposed first of all is a net holder for a table tennis net set, having the means and features of the independent claim directed to a net holder. To achieve the objects, what is thus proposed in particular in the case of the net holder of the type mentioned in the introduction is that the clamping apparatus has a movable clamping jaw and a clamping lever mechanism which can be used to move the movable clamping jaw from a starting position to a clamping position.

By means of the clamping lever mechanism, the net holder can be fixed to a table tennis table by way of a simple lever movement. Due to the lever action of the clamping lever mechanism, it is also possible to fix the net holder to a table tennis table in a sufficiently firm manner with little expenditure of force. Overall, the handling of the net holder is thus simplified in comparison to hitherto known net holders to be mounted using screw clamps. Relatively weak people, for example children, can also not only fasten the net holder to the table tennis table in a secure and gentle manner but in particular release it as well. It is also possible for the clamping lever mechanism to predefine a defined clamping force which can be transmitted to the movable clamping jaw. It is thus possible to prevent the net holder from being mounted on a table tennis table with excessive force, which in turn has the effect that damage to the table tennis table due to the net holder can be avoided.

The movable clamping jaw may be arranged on a clamping jaw lever of the clamping lever mechanism. In this case, the clamping jaw lever may be connected to the base carrier of the net holder via a pivot joint and/or force support, the net post also being arranged or configured on said base carrier.

In an embodiment of the net holder, the clamping lever mechanism has a clamping lever. A user of the net holder can use the clamping lever to actuate the clamping lever mechanism and move the movable clamping jaw from its starting position or open position to its clamping position. The clamping lever may be connected to the base carrier via a clamping lever pivot joint and/or a force support. If the clamping lever is connected to the base carrier via a force support, it is possible for the clamping lever to be arranged at a certain distance from the base carrier, which in a use position of the net holder on a table tennis table is generally located at least partially above a top side of the table tennis table.

The clamping jaw lever may be arranged between a stationary clamping jaw, which is connected to the base carrier, and the clamping lever. The clamping jaw lever, on which the movable clamping jaw is arranged, can thus be advanced, by means of the clamping lever, in the direction of the stationary clamping jaw, which generally contacts a top side of the table tennis table in the use position of the net holder, with the clamping lever, which is then arranged below the clamping jaw lever, in the direction of the stationary clamping jaw, in order to transmit the clamping force required for the fastening of the net holder to the table tennis table from the movable clamping jaw via the table tennis table to the stationary clamping jaw of the net holder.

In an embodiment of the net holder, provision is made for the movable clamping jaw to be pivotably mounted on the clamping jaw lever and/or connected thereto. In this way, it is possible to compensate an angular position of the clamping jaw lever relative to the movable clamping jaw and in particular also an angular position of the clamping jaw lever relative to a table tennis table. It can thus be ensured that preferably the entire surface of the movable clamping jaw bears against the table tennis table in its clamping position. In this case, the movable clamping jaw may be pivotably mounted for example at a free end of the clamping jaw lever.

The clamping lever may be arranged on a side of the net holder facing away from the movable clamping jaw. In this way, when the net holder is in the use position on a table tennis table, the clamping lever is particularly readily accessible for the user of the net holder. The net holder can thus be mounted and also released from the table tennis table again in a convenient manner. The side of the net holder facing away from the movable clamping jaw may be that side of the net holder on which the net post of the net holder is also arranged.

In an embodiment of the net holder, provision is made for the clamping lever mechanism to comprise a toggle clamp which can be used to move the movable clamping jaw into its clamping position. A toggle clamp comprises at least two levers which are connected to one another in an articulated manner and which permit a relatively high force/travel ratio. In this way, a particularly high clamping force can be achieved with a relatively smaller actuating force, with the result that the net holder can be fixed to a table tennis table in a particularly secure manner by means of a toggle clamp.

The clamping lever mechanism may comprise a clamping width-adjusting apparatus. By means of this clamping width-adjusting apparatus, the net holder can be fastened to table tennis tables of differing size or thickness. By means of the clamping width-adjusting apparatus, a distance between the movable clamping jaw, which is located in the clamping position, and a stationary clamping jaw, for example the stationary clamping jaw already mentioned above, can be adjusted.

The clamping width-adjusting apparatus may comprise an actuating screw. The above-mentioned distance between the movable clamping jaw, which is located in the clamping position, and the stationary clamping jaw of the net holder can be adjusted by means of the actuating screw. It is particularly advantageous if the actuating screw is assigned a locknut, which may be provided with knurling. The actuating screw can thus be fixed at the selected screwing-in depth by means of the locknut, with the result that a selected clamping width of the net holder remains unchanged even if the net holder is demounted from the table tennis table and stowed after use.

The clamping lever mechanism may comprise a clamping element which can be pushed against the movable clamping jaw and/or the clamping jaw lever by means of the clamping lever. The clamping element can thus function as an intermediate element and/or force transmission element between the clamping lever, which is adjusted for actuation of the clamping lever mechanism, and the movable clamping jaw or the clamping jaw lever. During actuation of the clamping lever, the adjusting movement of the clamping lever is transmitted via the clamping element to the movable clamping jaw or the clamping jaw lever which is connected to the movable clamping jaw.

An angular position of the clamping element with respect to the clamping lever, and thus the clamping width of the net holder already mentioned above, can be adjusted or changed by means of the clamping width-adjusting apparatus. Here, in dependence on its screwing-in depth, the actuating screw already mentioned above can change the angular position of the clamping element with respect to the clamping lever. The further the actuating screw is screwed in, the greater the angle between the clamping element and the clamping lever can be. As the angle between the clamping element and the clamping lever increases, the distance between the movable clamping jaw, which is located in the clamping position, and the stationary clamping jaw of the net holder, and thus a clamping width of the clamping lever mechanism, can be reduced.

In order to permit a relative movement between the clamping element and the movable clamping jaw and/or the clamping jaw lever, it may be advantageous if the free end of the clamping element facing the movable clamping jaw and/or the clamping jaw lever has a sliding surface and/or is provided with a roller.

The clamping element may be pivotably mounted on the clamping jaw lever. Here, the clamping element may be pivotably mounted on the clamping jaw lever in such a way that a projection of a pivot joint, for example of a pivot bearing and/or of a film hinge, of the clamping element on a horizontal section plane of the net holder lies between a projection of a pivot joint of the clamping jaw lever and a projection of a pivot joint of the clamping lever on the same horizontal section plane. As a result of the selection of the positions of the pivot joints and the selection of the lever lengths, it is possible to achieve a particularly good travel/force ratio, which can facilitate simple handling of the net holder and reliable functioning of the clamping mechanism.

The clamping element may be pivotably mounted on the clamping lever. Here, the clamping element may be pivotably mounted on the clamping lever in such a way that a projection of a pivot joint, for example of a pivot bearing and/or of a film hinge, of the clamping element on a horizontal section plane of the net holder lies between a projection of a pivot joint of the clamping jaw lever and a projection of a pivot joint of the clamping lever on the same horizontal section plane. As a result of the selection of the positions of the pivot joints and the selection of the lever lengths, it is possible to achieve a particularly good travel/force ratio, which can facilitate simple handling of the net holder and reliable functioning of the clamping mechanism.

The movable clamping jaw may have an end stop for a clamping element, for example the clamping element already mentioned above. By means of this end stop, it is possible, on the one hand, to define the end position of the clamping element on the movable clamping jaw and it is possible, on the other hand, to deflect a force of the possibly oblique clamping element to the movable clamping jaw.

A clamping lever stop may also be assigned to the clamping lever. A movement of the clamping lever beyond its open position can be restricted by means of the clamping lever stop. The clamping lever stop is thus used to prevent the clamping lever from hanging loosely on the net holder when the clamping lever mechanism is open.

In order to protect a table tennis table when the net holder is being used, it may be advantageous if the movable clamping jaw and/or the stationary clamping jaw has/have a protective covering. This protective covering/these protective coverings can preferably be composed of velour and/or of rubber, for example silicone rubber.

To achieve the stated object, what is finally also proposed is a table tennis net set comprising a net holder as claimed in one of the claims directed to such a net holder.

BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail on the basis of an exemplary embodiment, but is not restricted to this exemplary embodiment. Further exemplary embodiments will emerge from combination of the features of individual or several patent claims with one another and/or in the combination of individual or several features of the exemplary embodiment. In the figures, in part in a highly schematic illustration:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a net holder with a clamping apparatus located in the clamping position,

FIG. 2 shows a perspective side view of the net holder, wherein a side part of a housing of the net holder is omitted for better illustration of a clamping apparatus of the net holder,

FIG. 3 shows the net holder shown in the preceding figures with an open clamping apparatus, and

FIG. 4 shows a further perspective side view of the net holder with a complete housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

All the figures show a net holder, which is denoted throughout by 1, for a table tennis net set. The net holder 1 has a base carrier 2. A net post 3 is arranged or configured on the base carrier 2. A table tennis net, which is not illustrated in the figures, can be mounted on the net post 3.

The net holder 1 comprises a clamping apparatus 4 which can be used to clamp the base carrier 2 to a table tennis table, which is also not illustrated in the figures.

The clamping apparatus 4 has a movable clamping jaw 5 and a clamping lever mechanism 6. The clamping lever mechanism 6 can be used to move the movable clamping jaw 5 from a starting position or open position, illustrated in FIG. 3, to a clamping position which is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, in order to fasten the base carrier 2 to a table tennis table in a simple and convenient manner.

The movable clamping jaw 5 is arranged on a clamping jaw lever 7 of the clamping lever mechanism 6. The clamping jaw lever 7 is connected to the base carrier 2 via a pivot joint 8 and a force support 9. The force support 9 is at the same time one of two side parts 25 of a housing 26 of the net holder 1, in which at least parts of the clamping lever mechanism 6 are arranged.

The clamping lever mechanism 6 also has a clamping lever 10. By means of the clamping lever 10, the clamping lever mechanism 6 can be actuated by a user of the net holder 1 and the net holder 1 can ultimately be clamped to a table tennis table. In this respect, the clamping lever 10 functions as an actuating lever of the clamping lever mechanism 6 and can also be referred to as such. The clamping lever 10 is connected to the base carrier 2 via a clamping lever pivot joint 11 and the two side parts 25 of the housing 26. The two side parts 25 also function as force supports 9 for the clamping lever 10.

The clamping jaw lever 7 is arranged between a stationary clamping jaw 12, which is connected to the base carrier 2, and the clamping lever 10. In the case of the net holder 1 shown in the figures, the stationary clamping jaw 12 is configured on a side of the base carrier 2 of the net holder 1, said side facing away from the net post 3.

The movable clamping jaw 5 is, for its part, pivotably mounted on the clamping jaw lever 7. For this purpose, a clamping jaw pivot joint 27 is arranged on the clamping jaw lever 7 at a free end 13 of the clamping jaw lever 7.

The clamping lever 10 is arranged on a side 14 of the net holder 1 facing away from the movable clamping jaw 5 and thus, in the use position of the net holder 1, below the net post 3 and also below a table tennis table to which the net holder 1 is fastened.

On account of its design, the clamping lever mechanism 6 can also be regarded as a toggle clamp which can be used to move the movable clamping jaw 5 into its clamping position.

The clamping lever mechanism 6 also has a clamping width-adjusting apparatus 15. By means of the clamping width-adjusting apparatus 15, a distance between the movable clamping jaw 5, which is located in the clamping position, and the stationary clamping jaw 12 can be adjusted in order to be able to adapt the net holder 1 and the clamping lever mechanism 6 to different table thicknesses.

The clamping width-adjusting apparatus 15 comprises an actuating screw 16, the screwing-in depth of which can be fixed by means of a locknut 17. The locknut 17 is provided with knurling so that it can be adjusted more easily on the actuating screw 16.

The clamping lever mechanism 6 furthermore comprises a clamping element 19. On account of its function, the clamping element 19 can also be referred to as a pressure beam, since it can be pushed against the movable clamping jaw 5 by means of the clamping lever 10 in order to move said movable clamping jaw into its clamping position and hold it there under a certain amount of pressure.

The clamping width-adjusting apparatus 15 and the actuating screw 16 already mentioned above can be used to change an angular position of the clamping element 19 with respect to the clamping lever 10, in order to ultimately adjust the distance between the movable clamping jaw 5, which is located in the clamping position, and the stationary clamping jaw 12. The free end of the clamping element 19 facing the movable clamping jaw 5 and the clamping jaw lever 7 has two rollers 20. The rollers 20 permit a low-friction movement of the clamping element 19 relative to the movable clamping jaw 5 in order to bring said movable clamping jaw into its clamping position and hold it there.

The clamping element 19 is pivotably mounted on the clamping lever 10 via a pivot joint 21. The position of the pivot joint 21 is in this case selected such that a projection of the pivot joint 21 on a horizontal section plane of the net holder 1 lies between a projection of a pivot joint 8 of the clamping jaw lever and a projection of the clamping lever pivot joint 11 of the clamping lever 10 on the same horizontal section plane.

The movable clamping jaw 5 has an end stop 22 for the clamping element 19. When the clamping apparatus 4 is closed, a further movement of the clamping element 19 and its rollers 20 is limited by the end stop 22, and the force transmitted by the clamping lever 10 via the clamping element 19 and its roller 20 to the movable clamping jaw 5 is transmitted in the direction of a table tennis table which is located between the two clamping jaws 5 and 12. In its open position which is shown by way of example in FIG. 3, the clamping lever 10 is held from below by a clamping lever stop 23.

The movable clamping jaw 5 and the stationary clamping jaw 12 of the net holder 1 are each provided with a protective covering 24. This can be composed of rubber, for example of silicone rubber, or alternatively of velour. Together with a further net holder 1 and a table tennis net, the net holder 1 shown in the figures forms a table tennis net set which can be fastened to a table tennis table.

In order to adjust the actuating screw 16, the latter has a rotary handle 18 at its freely accessible end. A height-adjusting device 28 with a comparable rotary handle 18 is assigned to the net post 3 of the net holder 1. A net height of a table tennis net held by the net holder 1 can be adapted by means of the height-adjusting device 18. The table tennis net can be mounted from above into the net post 3 of the net holder 1. The net post 3 has a guide groove 29, from which the mounted table tennis net can be guided over to another net post of the table tennis net set and mounted there.

The invention concerns a net holder 1 for a table tennis net set. The net holder 1 comprises the clamping apparatus 4 having the movable clamping jaw 5 and the clamping lever mechanism 6 which can be used to move the movable clamping jaw from a starting position to a clamping position in order to fix the net holder 1 to a table tennis table.

LIST OF REFERENCE DESIGNATIONS

1 Net holder

2 Base carrier

3 Net post

4 Clamping apparatus

5 Clamping jaw

6 Clamping lever mechanism

7 Clamping jaw lever

8 Pivot joint of 7

9 Force support

10 Clamping lever

11 Clamping lever pivot joint

12 Stationary clamping jaw

13 Free end of 7

14 Side of 1

15 Clamping width-adjusting apparatus

16 Actuating screw

17 Locknut

18 Rotary handle

19 Clamping element

20 Roller

21 Pivot joint of 19

22 End stop

23 Clamping lever stop

24 Protective covering

25 Side part

26 Housing

27 Clamping jaw pivot joint

28 Height-adjusting device

29 Guide groove for net in 3 

1. A net holder (1) for a table tennis net set, comprising: a base carrier (2) on which a net post (3) is at least one of arranged or configured, and a clamping apparatus (4) which is configured to fasten the base carrier (2) to a table tennis table, the clamping apparatus (4) including a movable clamping jaw (5) and a clamping lever mechanism (6) which is configured to move the movable clamping jaw (5) from a starting position to a clamping position.
 2. The net holder (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movable clamping jaw (5) is arranged on a clamping jaw lever (7) of the clamping lever mechanism (6), and the clamping jaw lever (7) is connected to the base carrier (2) via at least one of a pivot joint (8) or a force support (9).
 3. The net holder (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the clamping lever mechanism (6) has a clamping lever (10) which is connected to the base carrier (2) via at least one of a clamping lever pivot joint (11) or a force support (9).
 4. The net holder (1) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the clamping jaw lever (7) is arranged between a stationary clamping jaw (12), which is connected to the base carrier (2), and the clamping lever (10).
 5. The net holder (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the movable clamping jaw (5) is pivotably mounted on the clamping jaw lever (7).
 6. The net holder (1) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the clamping lever (10) is arranged on a side (14) of the net holder (1) facing away from the movable clamping jaw (5).
 7. The net holder (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clamping lever mechanism (6) comprises a toggle clamp which can be used to move the movable clamping jaw (5) into the clamping position.
 8. The net holder (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clamping lever mechanism (6) comprises a clamping width-adjusting apparatus (15) by which a distance between the movable clamping jaw (5), which is located in the clamping position, and a stationary clamping jaw (12) is adjustable.
 9. The net holder (1) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the clamping width-adjusting apparatus (15) comprises an actuating screw (16).
 10. The net holder (1) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the clamping lever mechanism (6) comprises a clamping element (19) which is pushable against at least one of the movable clamping jaw (5) or the clamping jaw lever (7) by the clamping lever (10).
 11. The net holder (1) as claimed in claim 10, wherein an angular position of the clamping element (19) with respect to the clamping lever (10) is adjustable by a clamping width-adjusting apparatus (15).
 12. The net holder (1) as claimed in claim 10, wherein a free end of the clamping element (19) facing at least one of the movable clamping jaw (5) or the clamping jaw lever (7) has at least one of a sliding surface or a roller (20).
 13. The net holder (1) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the clamping element (19) is pivotably mounted on the clamping jaw lever (7).
 14. The net holder (1) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the clamping element (19) is pivotably mounted on the clamping lever (10).
 15. The net holder (1) as claimed in claim 10, wherein at least one of the movable clamping jaw (5) or the clamping jaw lever (7) has an end stop (22) for the clamping element (19), or a clamping lever stop (23) is assigned to the clamping lever (10).
 16. The net holder (1) as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least one of the movable clamping jaw (5) or the stationary clamping jaw (12) has a protective covering (24).
 17. A table tennis net set comprising at least one net holder (1) as claimed in claim
 1. 18. The net holder (1) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the movable clamping jaw (5) is pivotably mounted at a free end (13) of the clamping jaw lever (7).
 19. The net holder (1) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the actuating screw (16) is assigned a locknut (17) for fixing thereof.
 20. The net holder (1) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the clamping element (19) is pivotably mounted on the clamping jaw lever (7) by a projection of a pivot joint (21) of the clamping element (19) on a horizontal section plane of the net holder (1) that lies between a projection of a pivot joint (8) of the clamping jaw lever (7) and a projection of a clamping lever pivot joint (11) of the clamping lever (10) on a same horizontal section plane.
 21. The net holder (1) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the clamping element (19) is pivotably mounted on the clamping lever (10) by a projection of a pivot joint (21) of the clamping element (19) on a horizontal section plane of the net holder (1) that lies between a projection of a pivot joint (8) of the clamping jaw lever (7) and a projection of a clamping lever pivot joint (11) of the clamping lever (10) on a same horizontal section plane. 